The 49ers are set to bulk up their interior defensive line with a familiar name. Matt Barrows of the Athletic on Tuesday reported that San Francisco will be bringing back defensive tackle Earl Mitchell.
Mitchell played in 30 games with 28 starts the last two years with the 49ers before getting let go this offseason. The 32-year-old went unsigned, and now he’ll aim to give some fresh depth to a worn out defensive front.
With DJ Jones out for the year with a high ankle sprain, the 49ers didn’t have a true nose tackle to help in the middle of the line. Sheldon Day took over for Jones, but Day is most effective as a rotational player in the middle.
Getting Mitchell back will limit Day’s snaps, and allow the coaching staff to deploy a deeper defensive front and keep players fresh for longer. Mitchell, combined with the return of defensive end Dee Ford, should give the 49ers enough reinforcements to stay effective through four quarters like they were early in the season.
Mitchell recorded 36 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack in his two years in San Francisco. There’s no word on a corresponding roster move yet, but the 49ers will have to release someone to add Mitchell to the 53-man roster.
